The Divine Comedy — Dante Alighieri

CANTO III. As the poets advance towards the hill, Dante is alarmed at seeing only his own shadow cast by the son behind them, and thinks that Virgil has deserted him. Cleared from his error they reach the foot of the monntam, and while in perplexity as to their ascent, meet a troop of spirits, who show them tbe way. Amongst them Manfred, King of Naples, nrges Dante to tell his daughter of his fate, as by her prayers she can shorten the time of his wanderings in the Ante-Porgatory. After their sudden flight had scattered these Over the champaign wide, towards the hill Where draws them onwards Eeason's high decrees ; I clung unto my faithful comrade still ; How without him should I have there arrived ? * Who else had drawn me upwards to the hill ? The appearance of remorse in him survived : O conscience honourably pure, to you How is a little fault most bitterly shrived ! When ceased his feet so rapidly to flee, Which dignity does lessen to the best, My mind till then absorbed, became more free, Aye curious to behold, to do its 'best, And towards the hill I forwards raised my sight, That to the sky reared up its lofty crest. ^*p. 10 so zt

Canto III. PURGATORY, 141 The sun, wbicli flamed behind us, redlj bright. Was broken up before my figure, where Was stopped the passage of its rays of light. Then to one side I turned in sudden fear That I was all abandoned, when I spied, ^^ In front of me alone, the shade appear. ** Why art you thus distrustful ?** to me cried My comforter, towards me wholly turned, ** Dost you not think me with you, me your guide ? 'Tis eve already there, where is inumed ^ The frame with which I once a shadow made, Naples now keeps it, from Brundusium earned. When you do henceforth see me cast no shade, Wonder no more, than that two rays of Heaven Can cross each other, nor the light invade. To suffer torments, heat, and cold, is given To bodies like to this, by high decree, The how 'tis done by man cannot be riven. He's mad who thinks our human reason free Along the infinite career to run. Of God, the substance one in Persons three. Be you content, O man, the Why unknown : Had you been able to behold the whole. No need had Mary to bring forth her son. Yet such you'st seen, who centered all the soul Without result, such longed-for lore to seek. To whom eternally 'tis given for dole. Of Aristotle, Plato, do I speak. And many more :" and here he bent his brow, And said no more, and stayed with troubled cheek. We'd reached the bottom of the mountain now, And there we found the cliff so steeply sheer, That all in vain were lithest limbs I trow. 'Twixt Lerici and Turbia, the most drear. The most deserted way, that cliff beside, *** Were but an easily ascended stair. " Who knows now on which hand the steep does glide Easiest ?" said my master, pausing still, " So that without wings one could climb its side." And while he downwards kept his glance, with skill Examining the secret of the way, And I was looking upwards round the hill, Line 27. Vir^ died at Brondusiamj and his body was bniied at Naples. ^ Line 49. Lenci and Turbia, monntainons tracts, at that time the extremities of Grenoa.

142 PURGATORY. Cahto III. At our left hand, onwards was seen to stray A troop of spirits, who towards ns hied, Yet seemed not moving, such their slow delay. *® " Lift up your eyes," I to my master cried, '' Lo ! these from whom you counsel can attain, If in your own you can not here confide." He gazed upon me then with countenance fain, And answered, " We'U go there, since they're so slow, ^ And you, sweet son, your confidence maintain." Still was that people distant from us, so, When we had ibade a thousand steps I say, As a good thrower with his hand could throw, When to the hard rock clung they all straightway, '* On the steep bank, and stood all still and close, As one who goes in doubt to gaze will stay. *' well accomplished spirits, whom God chose," Virgil did thus begin, " by that dear peace, Which I believe that none of you will lose, " Tell us where easiest slopes the precipice. So that we there our upward path may hold : Him who knows most time lost does most displease." As issue out a flock of sheep from fold, By one, and two, and three, and the others stand, *® Aid timidly their eyes and fe.ce down hold, And what the first does do at second hand. Collecting at his back if he stops short, All simple, nor the wherefore understand. So saw I move the chiefs from that escort, ^ Towards us then from out that blessed flock, Modest in face, of honourable port. As they in front of me beheld all broke The light upon the earth, at my right side, So that my shadow reached unto the rock, ^ They stayed, then somewhat drew themselves aside, And all the rest who came behind them near, Knowing not wherefore, in like manner bide. " Without your question, I confess it here. This is. a human frame that you behold, •* Through which on earth the sunlight is cut sheer. Marvel you not at that : but rather hold Only by virtue, sent at Heaven's command, This mountain side to climb he seeks bold." My master thus, and that all worthy band ^^ Said, " Turn you then, our onward progress share," And signed us to advance with beckoning hand.